Meridian Audio manual G68 Digital Surround Controller, Video switching, Formats supported

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I n t r o d u c t i o n

G68 Digital Surround Controller

The G68 is a powerful, flexible surround controller with a built-in AM/FM tuner, and represents the centrepiece of the G Series range, with multiple variants available to suit a wide range of applications.

At the heart of the G68 is a powerful DSP engine consisting of five Motorola 56367s running at 150MHz – delivering an incredible 750MIPS (million instructions per second) capability. Processing

is performed at high sample rates and with 48-bit precision throughout, ensuring that all filtering, processing, and other operations are carried out beyond the limits of human hearing. The G68 is thus a perfect processor for the very latest in digital audio, such as DVD-Audio and DVD-Video.

Analogue signals are converted via a 24-bit Delta-Sigma converter to high-sample-rate digital on input to the processor, while all digital signals are reclocked to minimise jitter and maintain total data integrity. All versions of the G68 include two six-channel S/PDIF digital inputs (coax), up to five stereo TOSlink optical inputs, and six more stereo coax digital inputs. In addition, there’s a six- channel analogue input, and five stereo analogue inputs.

Video switching

The G68ADV, AXV, and XXV are not only audio processors; they also provides broadcast-quality video switching and signal handling for the highest quality picture you have ever seen. There are four S-video inputs and two outputs; four composite inputs and two outputs; and three component inputs with one output.

Formats supported

The G68 combines controller and surround processor functions, meeting the latest THX specifications and including MPEG, DTS, Dolby, Trifield, and Ambisonic decoding. In many cases the decoders incorporate our own code, giving them superior integration with the Meridian design philosophy, as well as superior performance. As a result, the G68 can decode surround signals from all PCM optical discs. The G68 is thus an ideal complement to a G Series optical disc player like the G98.

Smart Source feature

The G68’s ’Smart Source’ feature continually monitors the digital inputs and automatically loads the correct decoding software for the format, speaker layout, and encoding of the incoming signal. This capability is enhanced by MHR SmartLink, which provides a digital link between a Meridian optical disc player and processor, carrying explicit information about the nature of the datastream as well as encrypted high-resolution digital signals from DVD-Audio

–the first system of its kind to be approved. Virtually all other manufacturers oblige you to go through an analogue connection, losing quality in the process.

You can also store separate parameters for each source (such as DVD) depending on whether the incoming signal is stereo or surround, so that any source material is played with the decoder of your choice.